Wills and Estate Planning

Probate Threshold in New Zealand Increasing to $40,000: What You Need to Know

Probate threshold changes in New Zealand Since 2009, New Zealand has required a formal High Court probate application for any estates where a sole-owned asset exceeded $15,000 – no matter…

A Legacy That Took Flight: Ray Shannon’s Butterflies and the Power of Planning Ahead

Not every client’s legacy ends up in a museum. Recently, Matthew and Samantha from the Sharp Tudhope Trust team made a special visit to the Auckland War Memorial Museum —…

Enduring Powers of Attorney – What are they and why do I need them?

Why Wills Aren’t Enough: Planning for Incapacity Let’s say you have taken the time recently to sign a Will with your lawyer. You tuck it away in a drawer and…

Life changes that require a will update

When Should You Update Your Will? Creating a will is a crucial step in ensuring your estate is managed according to your wishes after you pass away. However, drafting a…

Make your wishes known with a Will

Life is full of changes. Whether you are moving in, getting married, buying a business, starting a family, getting divorced, planning for retirement – there’s a lot to think about…

Retirement village occupation rights explained

If you have retired, the children have left home, and your home is slowly becoming more of a hindrance than a joy, it is a good time to explore “downsizing”…

The importance of a valid Will

A badly drafted Will can be problematic and lead to family disputes. To be considered valid, your Will must comply with the Wills Act 2007. Outdated Wills that don’t meet…

Inheritance law is under review

In 2019 the Government instructed the Law Commission to review inheritance law in New Zealand which is currently governed by a combination of acts including the Family Protection Act of…

Separating? Make sure your Will is up to date too!

Under the law, there is a “state of limbo” when married couples separate but are not yet divorced. If you have decided to separate, you should consider the following: You…

What happens if you die without a Will?

If you pass away and do not have a Will in place, this is called dying ‘intestate’. In this situation, the Administration Act 1969 comes into play and dictates how…